Dog access

Brochures

About this track

Description

Pororari River Track

The track follows a spectacular limestone gorge with two main features – a river with huge rocks set amongst deep pools, and beautiful forest featuring subtle changes from subtropical to temperate.

A 15 minute gentle stroll from the car park brings you to a seat and a lookout, with spectacular views of the river gorge and its magnificent limestone cliffs. From this point on, the track narrows and the gradients become a little steeper as the track continues for another 2.5 km until it meets the Inland Pack Track. Five minutes beyond this junction, following beside the river, the track leads to a swing bridge – an ideal place for a rest and a photo stop before retracing your steps back to the car park.

Getting there: Start from the car park by the Pororari River bridge, 1 km north of the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre on SH 6.

Punakaiki – Pororari Loop

Time: 3 hr loopDistance: 11 km loop

This popular track combines the southern section of the Inland Pack Track with the Pororari River Track.

The track crosses the Punakaiki River via a footbridge, and then follows an easy graded climb through mature rain forest over the ridge dividing the two river valleys. When you reach the Pororari River Track junction it's worth carrying on along the Inland Pack Track for a short distance to the swing bridge; a perfect place for a rest and something to eat. Return to the junction and then follow the Pororari River Track down river to the car park on SH 6. From there it is a 1 km walk south along the highway to the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre.

Getting there: From the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre follow SH 6 south to Waikori Road, 200 m on the left after the Punakaiki River. Follow Waikori Road for 1 km to the car park. The track starts 50 m further down the road on the left, at the footbridge. Ensure you leave the farm gate at the start of Waikori Road closed at all times.

Pororari River – Bullock Creek Road

Time: 5–6 hr round tripDistance: 15 km round trip

This track links the Pororari River Track with the scenic Bullock Creek Road and follows a section of the Inland Pack Track, passing through part of the Paparoa limestone syncline (a fold of stratified rock). The mature forest here supports many birds, including rare species such as kākā and kiwi. Cyclone Ita (April 2014) caused the extensive treefalls you can see here. Once the Bullock Creek flats are reached, continue to the T-intersection, and turn left to follow the track markers to the car park.

Complete the loop by walking down Bullock Creek Road (6 km) and out to SH 6. From here, it is another 1 km south along the highway to return to the Pororari car park.

Getting there: Start from the car park by the Pororari River bridge, 1 km north of the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre on SH 6. Note, Bullock Creek Road is prone to flooding in heavy rain.

Getting there

Start these walks near Punakaiki on SH 6.

Know before you go

Hunters may be within the area of the lower and upper sections of the Pororari River tTack - take care.